An Ode to September (& September goals)

Oh September! Oh how I love September. The month conjures up memories of new school supplies, a fresh start and an exciting fall wardrobe lined up in my closet tags still in place. I love the comfort of a warm pumpkin spice latte (I finally tried one last year and I’m totally hooked) while cozied up writing at my favorite coffee shop. I love the sunny end of summer days meshed with the early crispness of fall. I love celebrating my bestie’s birthday and beginning my official countdown to Halloween. I love love love fall boots and jumpers, dark lipstick and nails (hello vampy girls). Though the end of summer always makes me tearful, I’m simultaneously excited to embrace September.

College campuses are SO pretty.

At the start of each month I always take a moment to mentally reflect on the last 30 days. August was such a beautiful month filled with boat rides, outdoor adventures, new recipes and happy memories with my family and friends. I hope September is even better.

I truly believe the best memories are often unplanned and spontaneous which is why I try to embrace the unexpected adventures. However…the second best way to achieve happiness is to set out with an intention to be happy. My way of filling my month with intention works best by setting goals at the start of the month.

September 2016 Goals:

Try a new Recipe each Week

Natural chef I am not, but I have really enjoyed learning a few new simple recipes in August. To continue my cooking at home streak I want to practice a new recipe each week.

Learn something New

In the spirit of back to school I want to embrace learning! I miss classes and honestly, if it was financially sustainable (aka I was a trust fund baby) I would be a full time student. I want to be a fashion journalist, a lawyer a therapist and a teacher! I’m a living, breathing example of why Barbies are harmful for children (kidding of course). This month I hope to follow a new interest and learn something new whether this leads me to take an aerial yoga class, sign up for an online class, etc.

Stick to Financial Goals

I hate talking about money but somehow more than talking about money (more than basically anything in the world)…I hate budgeting. I hate financial planning and for some reason in this one area of my life I naturally like to live a completely unplanned, chaotic existence. Not anymore. As a real adult I don’t want to spend every penny in my bank account, I want to pay my bills on time every time and I want to pay down debt and begin thinking about the future. My least favorite part about being an adult is managing money but at 24 years old I’m more determined than ever not to spend like a reckless idiot. Budgeting is a real party, woot!

Hit the Gym an average of 4 times per Week

For the entire month of August I focused on wellness and it felt great! This month I would like to continue going to the gym four days a week (or working out in some other way). I am a gym girl, I love the gym but I am definitely open to new classes (as long as they aren’t Zumba) or workouts too!

Clean out my Car (& get an oil change)

I’ll reorganize the kitchen, empty and refill my closet and fold a month’s worth of laundry before I touch my car. It’s gross really. Sad as it may be, I need to give myself the goal of deep cleaning my car to hold myself accountable. This month I WILL DO IT!

I’m so excited for September and the Fall months as well, and trying new recipes is on my list too! And similarly I have to have my car brakes checked, so looks like we’re on similar pages this month, haha!

You look amazing! What a cute place to take photos! I’m so bad at budgeting, but we’ll see how that goes now that I have steady income! I love your learn something new goal, I believe that learning never really stops (or it shouldn’t) Try Buzzfeed for new recipes, I have their food newsletter and it’s pure gold!
xoxo